GPJFF is filled with exciting post-film receptions, discussions, book signings, performances, parties, and more. It’s always wonderful to see so many familiar faces and meet some of the newest additions to our GPJFF family. Whether you attended our special events or missed out on a few, our photographers made sure to document all the fun. Enjoy perusing each set of pictures and thanks again for hanging out with us!

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2018-19 Season

The newly titled 38th Gershman Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival (GPJFF) kicked off the season with the Philadelphia premiere of The Interpreter, Martin Šulík’s powerful road trip comedy/drama (also Slovakia’s submission for Best Foreign Language Film for the 2019 Oscars!). Star Peter Simonischek, best known for his hilarious role in Toni Erdmann, attended the film for a post-film Q&A and sponsor reception.

Director Shai Scherf came to Philly to talk about his riveting new Israeli thriller, Anthrax, a gripping tale (based on true events) of a group of former IDF soldiers who begin experience strange side effects after being administered an anthrax vaccination.

Budapest Noir premiered to a sold-out theater at Reel Cinemas in Narberth with director Éva Gárdos in attendance! This stylish, engaging Hungarian noir has been a favorite at Jewish film festivals across the world.

Paul Lieberstein (best known as Toby from The Office) and co-star/co-producer Jennifer Prediger attend the festival for their hilariously quirky new comedy, Song of Back and Neck, and a post-film happy hour at Positano Coast.

GPJFF38 closed its Fall Fest season with the delightful, toe-tapping Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas at the Gershman Y. This engaging musical doc explores the Jewish roots of some of the most iconic Christmas songs. The evening was accompanied by performances by The Village Carolers and a post-film Chinese cuisine and reception.

GPJFF’s sixth annual, newly titled Lindy CineMondays spring series kicked off at the National Museum of American Jewish History with the Philly premiere of Redemption. Yossi Madmoni and Boaz Yehonatan Yaacov’s powerful Israeli musical drama has moved audiences at festivals (both Jewish and non-Jewish) around the world!

Week two of Lindy CineMondays kicked off with Leona, a beautifully filmed, truthful coming-of-age tale from Mexican filmmaker Isaac Cherem. Partnered with Tribe 12, GPJFF hosted a pre-film happy hour at the nearby Lucha Cartel. After the film, Olivia Antsis (Executive Artistic Director of GPJFF) conducted a Q&A with local artist Caitlin Herrschaft whose murals are featured in the film. Even more, Isaac himself Skyped in to join the conversation!

Lindy CineMondays ended another fabulous season with the Philadelphia premiere of Tel Aviv on Fire, Sameh Zoabi’s critically acclaimed Israeli/Palestinian comedy. The film was followed by a discussion led by Dr. Sara Byala of the University of Pennsylvania and Sameh himself. Guests were then treated to a delightful reception with food and libations in the lobby of the theater.

2017-18 Season

The 37th Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival opened to a packed house at The Gershman Y with The Cakemaker, Ofir Raul Graizer’s stunning dramatic debut. The screening was followed by a private reception for our incredible sponsors and supporters who have helped us keep this festival moving forward.

PJFF37 premiered My Art at NMAJH, the new film from writer/director/star Laurie Simmons (a graduate of Temple University’s Tyler School of Art). Actor John Rothman, who stars in the comedy, attended the screening for a post-film Q&A, charming the audience with anecdotes, personal stories, and behind-the-scenes commentary.

PJFF37’s first Food & Film event kicked off at The Gershman Y with Body and Soul: An American Bridge, Robert Philipson’s masterful documentary. The film was followed by a delicious soul food brunch curated by Aprons Soul Food Restaurant. Robert himself also attended the screening for a post-film Q&A.

PJFF37 presented its Centerpiece Film, Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, at The Gershman Y. This sold-out screening about the life of renowned actress and inventor, Ms. Hedy Lamarr, was followed by a Q&A with its director, Alexandra Dean, and a vintage Hollywood-inspired reception.

PJFF37 was pleased to premiere Keep the Change at NMAJH, a charming modern day romance between two young people on the spectrum who meet and fall in love at a JCC group. Director Rachel Israel and stars Brandon Polansky, Samantha Elisofon, and Will Deaver attended the screening for a post-film Q&A.

Fall Fest 2017 | Master Class with Barak Heymann

PJFF37 and Penn Cinema Studies presented an informative Master Class at the University of Pennsylvania with Israeli filmmaker Barak Heymann. Together with his brother, Tomer Heymann, Barak has created poignant documentaries that merge current social and political issues with the deeply personal. Their films have garnered prestigious awards and screenings at festivals worldwide.

The 37th Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival concluded with Harmonia, Ori Sivan’s modern day version of the biblical tale of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar set amidst the Jerusalem Philharmonic Orchestra. Alon Aboutboul, the star of the film, was present for a post-film Q&A with PJFF’s Artistic Director, Iris Drechsler.

The final day of the 37th Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival opened with a bagel brunch with libations at The Gershman Y followed by a bonus screening of Love Is Thicker Than Water, a lovely British interfaith romantic comedy. Co-director Ate de Jong attended the event for a post-film Q&A.

PJFF CineMondays 2018 kicked off the season with an unforgettable, sold-out screening of GI Jews: Jewish Americans in World War II at the Prince Theater. The screening was followed by a Q&A with director Lisa Ades and a delicious reception.

PJFF CineMondays 2018 closed its fantastic season at NMAJH with the Philly premiere of Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel. With a plethora of special guests (including the Phillie Phanatic himself!), guests were treated to a baseball-themed reception following the film.

2016-17 Season

PJFF’s 36th ‘Double Chai’ Festival opened at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts with Asaph Polonsky’s poignant One Week and a Day and special guest, Isaac Zablocki, Director of Film Programs at JCC Manhattan. The night ended with a private reception at The Gershman Y for VIPs, Sponsors, Supporters, and Pass Holders.

PJFF was delighted to host the Philadelphia premiere of Sand Storm, Israel’s submission for the 89th Academy Awards, at the Ritz East with special guest Steve Dinero, Professor of Liberal Arts at Philadelphia University. Viewers were invited to attend a post-film happy hour at the nearby Positano Coast for free hors d’œuvres and drink specials.

In an unforgettable evening, comedian Judy Gold took to The Gershman Y stage for a quick stand-up routine before introducing Ferne Pearlstein, the director of PJFF’s thought-provoking Centerpiece Film, The Last Laugh. After the film, Judy and Ferne joined Robert Edwards, producer of The Last Laugh, Paul Lewis, Professor of English at Boston College, and PJFF screening committee member, Dr. Elliot Ratzman, for a very interesting discussion about the difference between comedians pushing boundaries and crossing the line when it comes to writing comedy about sensitive and tragic topics. Following the discussion, the audience was welcomed to a complimentary reception with delicious food and libations.

PJFF hosted a tasty food and brunch event at The Gershman Y for Shalom Italia, Tamar Tal Anati’s tender new documentary. Following the film, viewers were treated to an authentic Italian spread curated by Philly’s own Gran Caffe L’Aquila and a live Skype Q&A with Tamar herself, along with Andrea and Bubi, two of the three brothers from the film.

The delightful Jip Smit joined PJFF to talk about her new leading role in the Dutch comedy, Moos, at the Ritz East. Guests were invited to The Little Lion for complimentary appetizers and drink specials after the film.

PJFF 36 ended its unforgettable two-week run at The Gershman Y with Women in Shorts, four extraordinary short Israeli films by or about women. Special guests included Iris Zaki, director of Women in Sink, and Omer Tobi and Gil Sima, director and producer of Hounds. Following the post-film discussion led by PJFF Artistic Chair, Iris Drechsler, guests were invited to mix and mingle at PJFF’s Closing Night reception.

PJFF CineMondays 2017 kicked off the season at The Gershman Y with The Women’s Balcony, Israel’s charming box office smash from 2016. David’s Harp, a Sephardic musical group, performed for guests before the film. Special guest Shlomit Nehama, the screenwriter of the film, participated in a live Q&A following the film.

Week two of CineMondays 2017 began with a special advanced screening of Norman, the newest star-studded drama from acclaimed director Joseph Cedar. The film was screened at the Ritz East with star Lior Ashkenazi himself. Preceding the movie, there was a small cocktail party with Lior as well at a private home in Society Hill.

CineMondays 2017 ended its glorious run with the award-winning documentary, Big Sonia, and the Oscar-nominated documentary short, Joe’sViolin,at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The night concluded with a beautiful violin performance by Brianna Perez and Kokoe Tanaka-Suwan, the subjects of Joe’s Violin.

2015-16 Season

PJFF’s 35th Anniversary Season opened with a Philadelphia premiere screening of Dough, featuring special guests John Goldschmidt and Jerome Holder and a private reception for PJFF Sponsors and Supporters.

One of the best-loved events of PJFF35, we were privileged to present the charming documentary, Deli Man, along with a catered deli lunch and fascinating discussion with an amazing panel of deli insiders!

PJFF CineMondays 2016 began with a SOLD-OUT screening of In Search of Israeli Cuisine, a delectable documentary that featuring local Zahav chef, Michael Solomonov. The screening featured a post-film Q&A with Michael and director Roger Sherman, along with an autograph signing and mouthwatering food reception!

Following PJFF’s Philadelphia premiere screening of The Sturgeon Queens, dozens of film and fish lovers joined us at Hamilton Hall for a Russ & Daughters Brunch and Book Talk by Mark Russ Federman, author of Russ & Daughters:Reflections and Recipes from the House That Herring Built.

After PJFF’s exclusive screening of What Animal AreYou?, the author himself, Etgar Keret, read two of his favorite short stories live onstage. Guests who brought their favorite Keret book or purchased one at the event were invited to attend a VIP Wine and Cheese Reception with the guest of honor.

Following our Philadelphia premiere screening of 24 Days at the Ritz East, guests joined speaker Nancy Baron-Baer, Regional Director at the Anti-Defamation League, for a post-film discussion and then headed to Positano Coast for conversation, complimentary appetizers, and drink specials.

Winner of Best Narrative Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival (and, more recently, the most-awarded film at the Israeli Oscars), Zero Motivation was one of PJFF34’s sleeper hits! Director Talya Lavie attended an exclusive post-film reception, including complimentary appetizers and drink specials at the Continental Diner.

This gripping documentary, produced by Nancy Spielberg (younger sister of Steven) and directed by Roberta Grossman (Hava Nagila, Blessed Is the Match), is packed with intrigue and suspense. Spielberg and Grossman joined guests for a Closing Night Party at Hamilton Hall.

2013-14 Season

The 33rd year began with the Philadelphia premiere of God’s Neighbors, writer/director Meni Yaesh’s gripping, Ophir Award nominated Israeli drama, at the Gershman Y. The film concluded with a live Skype interview with Meni himself, curated by PJFF Artistic Chair, Iris Drechsler.

Girls breakout Alex Karpovsky stopped by the Ritz East for the city premiere of his new comedy, Red Flag, which he also wrote and directed. Guests were treated to a post-film party at the Stratus Rooftop Lounge.